I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to sit down with Ally Carter before her signing at the fabulous Murder By The Book in Houston. Thank you, Ally, and thank you to Disney-Hyperion for making this possible! If you ever have a chance to see Ally, don’t miss it! She is hilarious and so much fun to talk to.
 Ally Carter is the author of the best-selling Gallagher Girls series and Heist Society. She loved school so much she kept going…and going…and going…until finally she had to graduate. Now she has degrees from Oklahoma State University and Cornell University and a house and a job and other very grown-up things. |
Hale and Kat are from very different worlds. What do think draws them together?
I think Hale and Kat see wish fulfillment in each other. They are different, but they also have a lot in common, in a certain way. Kat had never really known anyone outside her family until she met Hale, and Hale had never really met anyone outside his own circle. They both came from environments that were very insular.
There are a lot of references to art and security systems in these books. What kind of research did you have to do?
To research the art, I was careful to look into what kind of art the Nazi’s stole because they had very specific guidelines for what they deemed worthy, so I wanted to get that right. I don’t really know anything about art, so I had to do some research there. The security systems were totally made up. Heists are easy to write when you’re the one developing the security system. (Ha! Good point!)
We aren’t always privy to the back story when the various family members start alluding to jobs that went wrong. (That was supposed to be a very well trained monkey!) Do you know the back stories?
There are some back stories that I know, but many times I just make something up because it seems funny at the time. (I really wish she’d write the monkey story.)
You write two series that are on the opposite sides of the law, so to speak. The Heist Society is a story of thieves while Gallagher Girls is about a high school that trains spies. Which one is more fun to write?
The Heist Society takes a lot more planning and I write it in third person so that the reader never really knows what is in Kat’s head and, therefore, what might happen. I love writing both series, but my friends laugh because it always seems that when I’m writing GG, I wish I was writing The Heist Society and vice versa.
Do you know what Hale’s first name is?
Yes, I do know since I have to make sure Kat doesn’t guess it. It’s fun coming up with her guesses, though!
Will there be more Heist Society books?
I am still writing GG number 6 right now, but there could be a 4th Heist Society book, but nothing is certain, right now.
Thank you, Ally!
But wait, there’s more!
If you haven’t gotten the Heist Society/Gallagher Girls crossover novella, Double Crossed, you are really missing out! This book is so much fun. I think my favorite part was getting into Hale’s head a little bit. Macey and Hale trying to boss each other around was also hilarious. It will definitely make you want to write Ally Carter and beg her to write an entire crossover series!
 Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story |
As I’ve been talking about the third book in this series, I’m getting a lot of comments like “I need to read this!” or “I think I’m the last person who hasn’t read this series“. Well, here’s your chance.
I have one signed paperback of The Heist Society (book 1) up for grabs! It’s open internationally. All you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter and leave me a comment telling me what you think the W. in Hale’s name stands for. Good luck!
I would love the name Warren for Hale, because I find it sexy, but it’s probably something terrible like Webley, Weaver, or Walcott 😛
I think W stands for Will. As what most W-names always get but I’m hoping for something new and unique. 🙂
-Riz B.
Maybe William. Thanks!! 🙂
I’ve wrecked my brain for years trying to come up with his name but nothing sounds Hale-ish enough for me ):
Sometimes I don’t even think I want to know but then I’m like I NEED TO KNOW OR ELSE I’D DIE D:
So I’ll say something I’m sure it won’t be: Warren Wickham 😉
Willard
My vote would be for Wade. Although it’s probably some obnoxious family last name that was popular 300 years ago and it stuffy sounding today. 🙂
I love Heist Society! Just posted a review of it today, i HOPE HOPE HOPE Ally writes a fourth book! I’m starting the third soon! I got all three for my bday 😀
I haven’t read Heist Society and I don’t know who Hale is!! But I will guess the W is for Winston 😛 total shot in the dark.
This question aggravates me so much!!!!!!! I need to know WTF the W stands for, so my guess is the W stands for WTF!!!
Sorry about the profanity…. 😉
I’m thinking it might be Wilhem. Sounds good!
Posh/old-sounding names just popped into my head, so I’m thinking something like Wagner, Winthrop, Willard or Winston. God, they sound pretty bad, let’s hope it’s not one of those! 😛
I haven’t started with this series yet, so I’m totally taking a shot here and just really guessing. I think Walden, Wren or Warner (sorry, Unravel Me hang over) sounds nice with “Hale”.
I think it stands for Wynslow.
I’m gonna go with Willard 🙂
I’m gonna go with Willard 🙂
Hmmm… Wesley or Winston might be fun!
I’m going for Waverly! Or Wondereous… or Weird!
I think it could be Wesley or Warren.
I adore these books! I’ve read all three and Gallagher girls (plus the cross over) I am a huge reader and have read all of the popular books Harry potter,eragon, Percy Jackson, even hunger games. And I have to say that the heist society series is by far my favorite. I like the first book the best followed by the second and then the third. I would love it if there was a fourth book! And I think Hales names is Walker.